Electric switch.



F. BARR.

ELECTRIC SWITCH.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. 5, 1911.

Patented Jan. 27, 1914.

2 BHEETSSHEET 1.

INVENTOR WITNESSES PH 9 N R m m a A 7 n e J m F r/ 2 F. BARR.

ELECTRIC SWITCH. 211101111011 FILED 0015,1911.

Patented Jan. 27, 1914.

2 SHEETSSHEET 2.

INVENTOR WITNESSES UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FREDERIC BARR, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

ELECTRIC SWITCH.

To all whom it may concern Be it known thatI, Fnrnnmo BARR, a citi zen of the United States, and a resident of New York,.in the county of Kings and State of New York, have invented pertain new and useful. Improvements in Electric Switches, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates particularly to hand operated sna-p switches and lamp sockets.

The main objects are to provide a combination in which the operation will have a quick make and break without severe vibration; to provide, a removable oscillable thumb turn or handle; to provide a durable rotatable switch member; to provide a convenient location of the contacts and terminals and yet avoid short circuiting; and to provide a durable and efficient center lamp contact.

Figure 1, is a sectionalview of a ceiling or wall switch embodying certain features of my invention. Fig. 2, is a side elevation of the base and switch contacts with the shell or cover shown off and in section. Fig. 3, is a drop perspective of the entire switch of Figs. 1 and 2. Fig. 4, is a bottom view of the handle. Fig. 5, is a perspective view of the spindle. Fig. 6, 1s a section and elea modified form of connection between the handleand operating member. Fig. 7, is a face view of the switch of Fig. 6, the handle being omitted. Fig. 8, is a bottom view of the handle of Fig. 6. Fig. 9, is a sectional view of another modification, Fig. 10, is a front view of a lamp socket switch embodying certain features of my invention. Fig. 11, is a side view' of the switch of Fig. 10. the shell or casing being shown in section. Fig. 12, is a rear view of the switch of Fig. 10 without the shell. Fig. 13, is a top plan view of the base of Fig. 12. Fig. 14., is a front view of the switch of Figs. 10, 11 and 12 without the handle. Fig. 15. is a perspective view of the handle of Fig. 10.

As is customary in constructions of this character the base or. block is formed of porcelain of the shape and size to accommodate the desired number and arrangement of stationary contacts 2 and 3. The non-rotatable spindle 4 is carried by the base and arranged to carry a rotatable member for convation showing Specification of Letters Patent. Application filed October 5, 1911.

Serial No. 652,925.

shaped recess in the base so as to prevent rotation. A sprin 6 engages the head 5 and presses the spin le downward. The rotatale member consists of insulating disks 7 and 8 and contact members 9 and 10 arranged to rotate together, the disk 8 being arranged between the contact members 9 and 10. Each contact member consists ofa plate portion and spring arms 11, 11 which are refiexed beneath the plane of the plate portion, the tips being substantially beneath the points 12, 12 where the arms are connected to the plate portion. These spring arms are bowed away from the plane of the plate portion so as to be rather stiff but somewhat resilient. I have found this shape and ar rangement to be more durable than a construction having the tips of the arms bent up close to the plane of the plate portion. In the upper face of the insulating disk 7 is a ratchet plate 14. An operating ratchet 15 is mounted on the spindle 4 above the ratchet plate 14. A helical spring 16 is also mount ed on the spindle 4 above the operating member 15. The lower end 17 of the spring engages a lateral extension 18 on the operating member 15. The upper end 19 of the spring engages a notched nut 20 which is screwed on to the upper end 21 of the-spindle 4 and serves as an abutment for the spring. The spring 16 presses the operating member 15 and the rotating member previously re ferred to toward the base and also impresses upon the oscillating operating member 15 a tendency to rotate in an anti-clock-wise di- .rection. the rotating member being adapted to rotate only in a clock-wise direction by virtue of the shape and arrangement of the stationary switch contacts. The rotating member may thus be said to float between the springs 6 and 16.

A shell. cap, covering or casing 24 sur rounds the parts of the switch mechanism and has a central opening 25 through which the upper end 21 of the spindle projects. The operating thumb-turn or handle 26 has a tubular member 27 embedded in its lower end which has a laterally projecting arm 28 which is a'apted to be inserted through the opening in the shell 24 as shown in Fig. 1.. This arm 28 has a recess or opening 29 tact arms. In the form shown in Figs. 1 to adapted to receive the. projecting stud 18 7 inclusive, the head 5 of the spindle is square..,and fits in the correspondingly l scribed.

of the operating member 15 previously de- An mteriorly threaded tubular Patented Jan. 27, 191-1.

Y flies back when released.

screw 30 passes loosely down through the handle 26 and is screwed fast on to the upper end 21 of the spindle so as to thereby lciosely hold the handle on the upper end ofthe non-rotating spindle. A washer 31 may be interposed between the head of the screw and the handle. The handle is thus seen to be mounted upon the spindle in such a manner as to permit of its oscillation and the corresponding oscillation of the operating memberinside the shell 24.. As the handle and operating member are oscillated by hand and returned by the spring 16, the rotatable switch members are rotated step by step so as to intermittently make and break the circuit through the switch contacts. When the screw is withdrawn the handle 26 can be readily detached and shell 24 removed with it, if desired, as shown O in Fig. i.

In the form just described the disk 7 is provided with symbols or words such as .Lit and Out which can be brought into view beneath the opening 33 to indicate the position of the switch contacts.

In the form shown in Figs. 6 and 7 the operating member 15 has a post 40 which extends through a slot 41 in the shell 24: and fits into a recess or hole 42 in the handle 26.

In the form shown in Fig. 9 the spindle 5O rotatable with the handle I screwed onto the upper end. The disk 7 and contact members carried thereby rotate only right handed or clock-wise. A ratchet disk 52 rotates with the spindle and engages the disk 7 so as to rotate the disk when the ratchet rotates in one direction and so as to rotate freely in a backward direction.

In the form shown in Figs. 10 to 15 the spindle passes laterally through the base or block 61. The stationary spring contact arms 62, 62 are secured to the base between the semi-circular flanges 63 and 64:. A circuit terminal 65 is connected to one contact and the center lamp contact 66 is connected to the other. The other circuit terminal 67 is mounted in a groove 68 in the base or porcelain block 61. The rotatable switch member 69 and the oscillating operating member 70 are mounted on the spindle bc tween the flanges 63 and 64 and the parts are inclosed in the shell which consistsof the body 71 and cap 72. The handle 73 has an" arm 74 inside the shell which engages the oscillating member 70 in the same manner as the first form described. llhe handle operates the switch when turned about a hall turn right handed, or clock-wise and The screw socket 75 is connected to the terminal 67. The center lamp contact 66 has a foot portion 76 by which itis anchored and a tip portion 77 which is adapted to bear against the por- 51 which is celain boss 7 8 when it is pressed upward by a lamp. This gives two yielding points of support for the contact portion 66.

lVhat I claim is 1. In a switch, a base, a switch contact carried thereby, a spindle, a ratchet oscillable thereon and having a lateral arm anda handle oscillable on said spindle and having a lateral arm and detachable means of connection. between said member rotatably mounted on said spindle and adapted to be rotated by said ratchet.

In a switch, a base, a longitudinally movable spindle carried thereby, cooperating spring switch contacts carried-by said base and by said spindle respectively a spring on said spindle pressing said spring switch contacts together, anoscillable op erating member on said spindle forv moving one of said spring switch contacts, a handle therefor, and a second spring on said spindle pressing against said operating member.

'3. In a switch, a base, a stationary switch contact on the base, a spindle carried by the base, a rotatable switch member and an oscillable operating member on said spindle a ratchet connection between said members, a handle having an arm, detachably connected with said operating member and a spring extending into said handle and pressing against said operating member.

t. In a switch, a base, a spindlecarried thereby, a switch member rotatable thereon, a stationary contact carried bysaid base, a handle on said spindle, means for preventing said spindle from turning, operative means of connection between said handle and said rotatable switch member, a spring pressing said member away from said handle and a screw passing through said handle from the outside and engaging said spindle and detachably securing said handle to said spindle.

5. In a switch, a rotatable switch member consisting of a plate portion and curved free ends reflexed beneath the plate portion and each free end being substantially in axial alinement with the points or" connec tion of said respective arms withsaid plate portion. p

6.111 a switch, a porcelain base, two switch contacts and a circuit terminal all mounted on one side thereof the said circuit terminal being connected with one of the 3 switch contacts, a spindle passing through said base between said contacts, a rotatable switch member on said spindle arranged to engage the switch contacts, means for operating said switch member, a second circuit terminal on the opposite side of said base, and lamp terminals on one end of said base connected with the other switch contact and with the second circuitterminal respectively.

arms, and a switch arms integral therewith and having their' 7. In a switch. a porcelain base, two switch contacts and a circuit terminal all mounted on one side thereof, the circuit terminal being connected with one of the said switch contacts, a spindle passing through said base between said contacts, semi-circular flanges projecting above and below said contacts, a rotatable switch member on said spindle between said flanges arranged to engage the switch contacts, means for operating said switch member, a second circuit terminal on the opposite side of said base, and lamp terminals on one end of said base connected with the other switch contact and with the second circuit terminal respectively.

8. In a lamp socket, an insulating base, a spindle projecting through said base, switch contacts mounted on one side of said base on opposite sides of said spindle, a circuit terminal on the base connected with one of the switch contacts, lamp contacts on one end of said base. one of said lamp contacts being connected with the other one of the switch contacts, a circuit terminal carried by said base and connected to the other one of said a lamp contacts, a movable switch member on a said spindle for connecting and disconnectmg said switch contacts, a ratchet mounted on said spindle for moving said switch niember, a shell inclosing said parts and a key 1 external to said shell having a shank detachably connected to said ratchet inside said shell.

f). In a lamp socket, the combination with an insulating base having a central stationa ry support. of a thin center contact member adapted to be engaged and flexed by the center contact of a lamp or other device inserted in the socket, the said member haw ing a foot portion secured to die base adjacent one edge thereof, an angular-1y outstanding resilient contact portion disposed out of contact with the base and extending inward over the central support, and a resilient tip portion reflexed under the contact portion and lying close to the back of the contact portion and bent back at an acute angle toward the support so as to engage with the support only at its extreme free end and at a point relatively close to the foot portion to thereby form a spring arm bearing with its free end upon the stationary support to normally yieldingly hold the contact portion away from the support with the return bond between the contact portion and tip portion supported out of engagement with'the sup-' port. whereby the center contact is made resilient at a plurality of points and is adapted to have its contact and tip portions bent together when a lamp is screwed tightly into the socket.

F REDERIC BARR. Witnesses ltonnn'r S. ALLrN, ELIsIL-x ll. MCGUIRE.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

